The Peter Pitseolak High School in Cape Dorset, Nunavut, was an accelerated project designed by Parkin Architects to replace the old school destroyed by arson in September 2015. When it burned down, 150 students and 22 staff were displaced from their school, and various community groups lost a gathering space.
Project Name: Peter Pitseolak High School in Canada’s Arctic
Studio Name: Parkin Architects
Project Location: Cape Dorset, Nunavut, Canada
Completion Year: 2018
Gross Built Area (m2/ ft2): 3,137m2 or 34,000 sq ft
Lead Architects: Director Robert Boraks, Principal Justin Leclair
Photo Credits: Gerry Kopelow Photographies Inc.
PPHS followed a user-centric approach. The design and construction were driven by an iterative delivery model, focusing on coordination and phasing to complete design and construction activities concurrently.
The challenge was to rebuild the northern school quickly to restore its crucial role in the community. In April 2017, twenty months after the fire, major work began on laying the foundation for the new school. The construction team tackled the complexities of permafrost and Arctic ground conditions by using a raised structure on steel piles. This method allowed for a rapid build, with the concrete foundation and steel superstructure completed in record time.
The construction pace was maintained through the warmer months, and by spring 2018, interior finishing work was nearly complete—six to eight months ahead of a standard construction schedule. The project was completed in just 16 months, an impressive feat for a building of this size and complexity in such a remote location.
A significant aspect of Peter Pitseolak High School is its incorporation of Inuit culture and reflection of Northern values. The design includes several cultural spaces and classrooms encouraging traditional forms of education and gatherings. The building sits high in the local landscape, offering stunning views of the community below, as well as the main body of water – Ice Lake. The school integrates the natural topography, curving with the land that surrounds it. Windows and orientation maximize natural light while keeping its occupants comfortable indoors during harsh winters.
The school accommodates 215 students from grades 7 to 12 all on one level. The central gathering area, a key design feature, includes built-in seating and a double-sided stage shared with the gymnasium. Exposed mass timber beams give the space a natural feel. Storage space under the stage was increased by 1800%. The gathering area supports communal activities, aligning with the school’s role as a community hub.
Apart from the central space, the school features an NBA regulation-sized gymnasium, garage, full-service daycare, and classrooms equipped with the latest educational technology. The new school made the decision to refurbish the old building’s exterior nameplate and decorative steel cut-outs of artist Peter Pitseolak, to preserve the memories.
Parkin Architects provided full architectural services, including schematic design, design development, detailed design, and contract administration. The project won the Education Design Showcase 2018 Project of Distinction, School & Management Gold Award. By designing with the needs and cultural identity of its users in mind, Peter Pitseolak High School serves as a modern, functional, and culturally significant educational facility for the people of Cape Dorset.
